Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SIGHTS
Chinatown
SRI MAHAMARIAMMAN TEMPLE
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HINDU TEMPLE
SZE YA TEMPLE
(Jln Tun HS Lee; 7am-5pm; Pasar Seni)
This Taosist temple, one of the most atmospheric in
Chinatown, was constructed in 1864 on the instructions of 'Kapitan Cina' Yap Ah Loy.
You can see a small statue of the man just left of the main altar. Its odd position, squished
between rows of shophouses, was determined by feng shui. You can enter the temple
through the stucco gatehouse on Jln Tun HS Lee or the back gate on the next alley west.
Fortune-telling sticks are provided for devotees; just rattle the pot until a stick falls out,
then find the paper slip corresponding to the number on the stick. Staff will translate the
fortune on the slip for RM1. On your way out, note the two gilded sedan chairs used to
carry the deity statues during religious processions.
CHINESE TEMPLE
GUANDI TEMPLE
(Jln Tun HS Lee; 7am-5pm; Pasar Seni)
Similar in atmosphere to the Sze Ya Temple is the
1886 Guandi Temple. The main hall is hung with fragrant coils of spiral incense, paper
clothes and money that are burned to bring good fortune to the ancestors. The temple is
dedicated to Kwan Ti, a historical Chinese general revered by Taoists as the god of war. It
is also known as Kwong Siew Free School after the clan association who originally built it.
CHINESE TEMPLE
STADIUM MERDEKA
(Jln Stadium; monorail Maharajalela)
Built for the declaration of independence in 1957, this open-
air stadium is where Malaysia's first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, punched his
fist seven times in the air shouting 'Merdeka!' (Independence!). Other big events during its
history include a boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Bugner and a concert by
Michael Jackson. There are panoramic views of the city from the grandstands and a couple
of evocative photographic murals in the entrance hall.
HISTORIC BUILDING
